Discussing work schedules is a common part of workplace communication. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for explaining team shifts to a colleague, particularly useful during informal moments like a quick break. You’ll learn how to talk about shift times, changes, and check schedules with coworkers.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 근무 교대
Pronunciation: geun-mu gyo-dae
Meaning: Work shift / Shift change (Refers to the concept of working in shifts or the act of changing shifts)
Basic Shift Phrases
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Expression: 오늘 무슨 근무예요?
Pronunciation: o-neul mu-seun geun-mu-ye-yo?
Meaning: What shift are you on today? -
Expression: 저는 오늘 주간 근무예요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun o-neul ju-gan geun-mu-ye-yo.
Meaning: I’m on the day shift today. -
Expression: 저는 야간 근무예요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun ya-gan geun-mu-ye-yo.
Meaning: I’m on the night shift. -
Expression: 우리 팀 교대 시간은 언제예요?
Pronunciation: u-ri tim gyo-dae si-gan-eun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is our team’s shift change time? -
Expression: 다음 주 근무표 나왔어요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ju geun-mu-pyo na-wat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Is next week’s work schedule out? -
Expression: 근무 시간 확인해 봤어요?
Pronunciation: geun-mu si-gan hwa-gin-hae bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Have you checked the work hours? -
Expression: 우리 같은 조네요.
Pronunciation: u-ri ga-teun jo-ne-yo.
Meaning: We’re on the same team/shift. -
Expression: 교대 근무 힘들죠?
Pronunciation: gyo-dae geun-mu him-deul-jyo?
Meaning: Shift work is tough, isn’t it? -
Expression: 몇 시부터 몇 시까지 근무해요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-bu-teo myeot si-kka-ji geun-mu-hae-yo?
Meaning: From what time to what time do you work? -
Expression: 쉬는 시간이에요.
Pronunciation: swi-neun si-gan-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s break time.
Explaining the Schedule Details
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Expression: 우리 팀은 다음 주부터 야간 근무예요.
Pronunciation: u-ri tim-eun da-eum ju-bu-teo ya-gan geun-mu-ye-yo.
Meaning: Our team is on the night shift starting next week. -
Expression: 이번 주까지는 주간 근무를 해요.
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-kka-ji-neun ju-gan geun-mu-reul hae-yo.
Meaning: We work the day shift until this week. -
Expression: 근무표 보니까, 우리는 같이 일하네요.
Pronunciation: geun-mu-pyo bo-ni-kka, u-ri-neun ga-chi il-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: Looking at the schedule, we’re working together. -
Expression: 교대 시간은 오후 6시예요.
Pronunciation: gyo-dae si-gan-eun o-hu yeo-seot-si-ye-yo.
Meaning: The shift change time is 6 PM. -
Expression: 다음 달 근무 스케줄이 좀 바뀌었어요.
Pronunciation: da-eum dal geun-mu seu-ke-jul-i jom ba-kkwi-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Next month’s work schedule has changed a bit. -
Expression: 제가 내일 대신 근무할게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga nae-il dae-sin geun-mu-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll cover your shift tomorrow. (Note: Use carefully, implies offering) -
Expression: 혹시 근무 바꿀 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si geun-mu ba-kkul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to switch shifts? -
Expression: 팀장님께 근무 변경 요청해야 해요.
Pronunciation: tim-jang-nim-kke geun-mu byeon-gyeong yo-cheong-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to request a shift change from the team leader. -
Expression: 우리 조는 3교대로 돌아가요.
Pronunciation: u-ri jo-neun sam-gyo-dae-ro do-ra-ga-yo.
Meaning: Our team works on a 3-shift rotation. -
Expression: 이번 주말에도 근무해야 해요.
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e-do geun-mu-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I have to work this weekend too. -
Expression: 잠깐 쉬면서 얘기해요.
Pronunciation: jam-kkan swi-myeon-seo yae-gi-hae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s talk while taking a short break.
Asking About Shifts and Availability
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Expression: 다음 주 스케줄 확인했어요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ju seu-ke-jul hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Have you checked the schedule for next week? -
Expression: 혹시 내일 시간 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: hok-si nae-il si-gan gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Are you perhaps free tomorrow? (Can be used to inquire about swapping shifts) -
Expression: 우리 언제 같이 근무해요?
Pronunciation: u-ri eon-je ga-chi geun-mu-hae-yo?
Meaning: When do we work together? -
Expression: 교대 근무 패턴이 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: gyo-dae geun-mu pae-teo-ni eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: What is the shift work pattern? -
Expression: 누가 다음 주 야간 근무 담당이에요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga da-eum ju ya-gan geun-mu dam-dang-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Who is in charge of the night shift next week? -
Expression: 근무표 어디서 볼 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: geun-mu-pyo eo-di-seo bol su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I see the work schedule? -
Expression: 이번 달 초과 근무 많아요?
Pronunciation: i-beon dal cho-gwa geun-mu man-a-yo?
Meaning: Is there a lot of overtime this month? -
Expression: 휴가 신청했어요?
Pronunciation: hyu-ga sin-cheong-hae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Did you apply for leave/vacation? -
Expression: 오늘 일찍 퇴근해도 돼요?
Pronunciation: o-neul il-jjik toe-geun-hae-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I leave work early today? (Requires permission) -
Expression: 이따가 잠깐 볼 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-tta-ga jam-kkan bol su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can I see you for a moment later? (Useful for initiating the conversation during a break)
Korean Culture Notes
In Korean workplaces, discussing schedules is common, but how you approach it can depend on your relationship with the colleague and workplace hierarchy. Generally, it’s polite to check the official schedule first before asking colleagues directly, unless you are close friends.
When asking to switch shifts (근무 변경 요청 – geun-mu byeon-gyeong yo-cheong), it’s usually done formally through a supervisor or team leader (팀장님 – tim-jang-nim). Directly asking a colleague might be acceptable if you have a good reason and a close relationship, but always be prepared to explain why.
Teamwork (팀워크 – tim-wo-keu) is highly valued. Being flexible and occasionally helping cover shifts can strengthen relationships, but ensure it doesn’t disrupt the official schedule or burden others unfairly.
During breaks (쉬는 시간 – swi-neun si-gan), colleagues often chat informally. This is a good time to quickly confirm schedule details, but avoid lengthy or complex discussions if the break is short.
Using polite language, even with close colleagues, is generally recommended in a professional setting. Adding 요 (-yo) at the end of sentences maintains a level of formality suitable for most workplace interactions.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are taking a short coffee break.
Roles:
* A: Minjun (Coworker checking the upcoming shift)
* B: Sora (Coworker confirming the schedule)
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 잠깐 시간 괜찮아요? 다음 주 근무표 봤어요?
Pronunciation: So-ra ssi, jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-a-yo? Da-eum ju geun-mu-pyo bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Sora, do you have a moment? Have you seen next week’s schedule? -
Expression: B: 아, 민준 씨. 네, 방금 확인했어요. 왜요?
Pronunciation: A, Min-jun ssi. Ne, bang-geum hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo. Wae-yo?
Meaning: Oh, Minjun. Yes, I just checked it. Why? -
Expression: A: 우리 팀 다음 주부터 야간 근무 맞죠? 제가 제대로 봤는지 확인하려고요.
Pronunciation: U-ri tim da-eum ju-bu-teo ya-gan geun-mu mat-jyo? Je-ga je-dae-ro bwat-neun-ji hwa-gin-ha-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: Our team is on the night shift starting next week, right? I just wanted to confirm if I saw it correctly. -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 다음 주 월요일부터 야간이에요. 오후 10시 시작이요.
Pronunciation: Ne, ma-ja-yo. Da-eum ju wol-yo-il-bu-teo ya-gan-i-e-yo. O-hu yeol-si si-jag-i-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. It’s the night shift starting next Monday. It begins at 10 PM. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 이번 주 금요일까지 주간 근무하고 바뀌는 거네요.
Pronunciation: Al-get-seum-ni-da. Geu-reom i-beon ju geum-yo-il-kka-ji ju-gan geun-mu-ha-go ba-kkwi-neun geo-ne-yo.
Meaning: Got it. So we work the day shift until this Friday, and then it changes. -
Expression: B: 네. 야간 근무 전에 주말 잘 쉬어야겠어요.
Pronunciation: Ne. Ya-gan geun-mu jeon-e ju-mal jal swi-eo-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes. We should rest well over the weekend before the night shift. -
Expression: A: 맞아요. 알려줘서 고마워요, 소라 씨.
Pronunciation: Ma-ja-yo. Al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo, So-ra ssi.
Meaning: Right. Thanks for letting me know, Sora. -
Expression: B: 아니에요. 커피 마저 드세요!
Pronunciation: A-ni-e-yo. Keo-pi ma-jeo deu-se-yo!
Meaning: Not at all. Finish your coffee!
Practice Tips
Understanding and discussing work shifts is practical Korean you can use right away if you work with Korean colleagues! Try reviewing the schedule (근무표 – geun-mu-pyo) and mentally forming sentences about your shift or your team’s shift using the phrases above~.
Role-play the conversation example with a study partner or practice saying the lines aloud yourself. Pay close attention to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks! You can also try creating simple variations, like asking about a different day or shift time.
Listen to how colleagues talk about schedules in Korean dramas or workplace vlogs if you can find them. This helps you catch the natural flow and common vocabulary. Keep practicing, and you’ll be discussing work shifts confidently in no time! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
